The answer is that there are many underlying issues that can cause a throbbing pain in your neck, but each underlying issue leads to a condition called occipital neuralgia.
Neck pain is very common in the U.S.; it’s estimated that up to 50% of Americans experience it every year. Pain that feels like a throbbing in your neck or the back of your head is likely occipital neuralgia. Physical therapists can help you learn the underlying issues that are causing your occipital neuralgia and pain. These specialists are also able to effectively treat the root causes of neck pain.
What underlying issues can cause occipital neuralgia?
Throbbing neck pain is just one sign that you have occipital neuralgia. The pain of this condition can also feel like it’s shooting from the neck into the head. It can also seem like the pain settles behind one of your eyes, and touching the scalp even lightly can set off your pain.
Occipital neuralgia itself is normally a symptom of another underlying issue that causes occipital nerve compression. Some issues that can cause the pinching of this nerve include:
- Cervical osteoarthritis
- Herniated discs
- Direct trauma to the nerves
- Overly tight neck muscles
How can your physical therapist treat the root cause of your throbbing neck pain?
Therapists have many techniques they can use to treat the root causes of occipital neuralgia. However, they’ll have to first identify your underlying issues before they can choose the most effective therapy methods to deal with them. To do this, your physical therapist will comprehensively evaluate your neck. Then, they will build you a therapy plan that could include techniques like:
- Therapeutic exercises that can reduce tension in neck muscles and improve their strength.
- Soft tissue mobilization to bring pressure and friction to bear on soft tissue tension through your physical therapist’s hands.
- Joint mobilization to improve the mobility of arthritic neck facet joints.
- Graston Technique® that can break down scar tissue that’s pulling your neck out of alignment.
Find help for your neck pain at Panther Physical Therapy
Ready to start working with a physical therapist to reduce your throbbing neck pain? Our therapy specialists at Panter PT are primed to help you find the help you need. We can evaluate your neck during a free screening and determine the root cause of your pain. Our team can then build you a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your pain and prevent its return.
Not sure if you can leave home because of your pain? You don’t have to! Our physical therapists can meet with you in an at-home care or virtual therapy session right in your own home.
Contact us today for more information about the treatment options we offer for neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.